Assault and Domestic Violence Law in Ohio

Assault and Domestic Violence are two related crimes that usually occur at the same time, resulting in two separate charges filed against an individual. An assault involves the act of threatening to injure another person, and domestic violence specifically refers to the relationship between the involved parties.

Assault in the State of Ohio

In the state of Ohio, “assault” is defined as the following:

(A) No person shall knowingly cause or attempt to cause physical harm to another or to another’s unborn.

(B) No person shall recklessly cause serious physical harm to another or to another’s unborn.

(C) Whoever violates this section is guilty of assault.

Domestic Violence in the State of Ohio

In the state of Ohio, “domestic violence” is defined as the following:

(A) No person shall knowingly cause or attempt to cause physical harm to a family or household member.

(B) No person shall recklessly cause serious physical harm to a family or household member.

(C) No person, by threat of force, shall knowingly cause a family or household member to believe that the offender will cause imminent physical harm to the family or household member.

(D) Whoever violates this section is guilty of domestic violence.

Penalties for Assault and Domestic Violence in the State of Ohio

Both assault and domestic violence charges are considered very serious offenses in Ohio. Harsh penalties such as imprisonment, large fines, probation, and court ordered counseling and/or anger management are examples of penalties one will face with a guilty finding for Assault and Domestic Violence. As with many criminal charges that end in a guilty finding, one may also experience difficulty obtaining employment with a record that includes assault and domestic violence charges.

The Luftman, Heck and Associates Advantage

We at Luftman, Heck and Associates ensure that you will receive the fair trial that you deserve. We make certain that the entire process – from when charges are filed to how final outcomes are delivered – is done legally and adheres to your constitutional rights. We also understand the complexity of assault and domestic violence laws. There are a number of people falsely accused of domestic violence or assault, and fully explore all of the circumstances when we take on a new client. There are also viable defenses we consider in our cases, including:

Consent – When an alleged victim “consented” to the potential harm, such as a sports competition.

Acting to Prevent a Crime – In certain situations, the use of violence or force is permitted to prevent the occurrence of a crime.

Self Defense, Defense of Property, or Defense of Another – In certain situations, force may legally be used to prevent physical harm to oneself, another person, or to prevent the harming or taking of an individual’s property.

Need Representation?

If you or a loved one are in need of assault or criminal defense representation and are interested in learning more about Luftman, Heck and Associates LLP, please complete a contact form. A member of our law firm will contact you directly to discuss your case in more detail and provide additional information about our assault and domestic violence defense services in Ohio.